Shade Tree/Compost

The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of the parks and over 8,000 shade trees throughout the Village. Included in the number of trees are all park trees, those around Village buildings and those that stand between the sidewalks of an individual's property and the curb. Specific responsibilities pertaining to parks and shade tree maintenance include: lawn maintenance; trash collection; sweeping downtown; athletic field maintenance; ice control & snow removal; leaf collection; composting facility; planting of trees; removing of trees and stumps; pruning trees; playground & park maintenance; beautification; equipment/building maintenance; recycling/maintenance of recycling clusters; landscaping; Duck Pond weed control; set up for special events.

Trees offer communities tremendous benefits, but when they become hazardous there can be serious consequences. If you have identified a tree along a Township roadway, on municipal property, or at a private residence or a business that could fall on someone or something of value, you should act immediately. Keep in mind that a tree is only considered “hazardous” if the broken limbs, severed roots, decay, or other condition presents a danger to a person, place, or thing given the tree were to fall.

Municipal Trees

Municipal trees are those located on municipal property such as public parks and building grounds and in the “tree belt” area along Township roadways. “Tree belt” footage varies from street to street – please call the Public Works Department for the exact footage at your address at 973-378-7741. If you suspect that a tree on municipal property or in the tree belt area may be hazardous, call the South Orange Public Works Department at 973-378-7741.

Trees on Private Property

If you’ve identified a tree on private property, either business or residential, that may be a hazard to your home, property, or person contact the South Orange Building Department in Village Hall at 973-378-7715, Ext. #7700, for assistance on how to approach finding a solution to the problem.

Composting:

Humus & Shredded Wood

Residents who are in need of humus (decomposed leaves) or shredded wood (double hammer-milled, medium-textured, hardwood mulch) for their gardens may pick up these materials in small quantities at the DPW Yard (300 Walton Ave.) or can schedule a delivery for a $50 fee starting in late March each year. The first delivery will take place at the end of April.
Composting information can be found in the March/April issue of the Gas Light. For more information or to schedule an appointment and get a form, call 973-378-7741. Only one product can be ordered each month and quantities are limited.